Covid news – live: UK daily cases hit three-month high as record number sign up for booster jabs

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Tories won’t wear masks in Commons because they ‘know each other’, Rees-Mogg says

The UK has recorded more than 50,000 daily coronavirus cases for the first time since mid-July, as ministers continue to reject calls from health leaders for some restrictions to be introduced.

Health secretary Sajid Javid said the current strain facing the NHS was not “unsustainable”, while Boris Johnson said infection numbers were “high” but “within the parameters of what the predictions were”.

Doctors described the government’s decision as “wilful negligence” and said “Plan B” should be activated to protect the NHS. Under this scenario, face masks would be made mandatory and working from home would be advised.

Meanwhile, a record 234,000 people booked to receive their booster jab on Wednesday, Mr Javid said.

The announcement came after Labour criticised the speed of the booster jab rollout, urging the government to complete it by Christmas rather than March.

Key points

• Tory MPs won’t wear masks because they ‘know each other’, says Rees-Mogg
• Booster programme ‘stalling’, warns Labour
• Minister denies Christmas mixing ban being considered for ‘plan C'
• BMA calls government negligent for not implementing ‘plan B’ despite Covid surge
• UK records more than 50,000 daily Covid cases

[21 October 2021 22:29 · Emily Atkinson]

Thailand to allow quarantine-free travel from 46 countries, PM says

Thailand will let vaccinated visitors from 46 countries forgo COVID-19 quarantine from next month, the prime minister said on Thursday.

Britain, the United States, China, Singapore, Germany and Australia are among the countries that will be able to enjoy new quarantine-free travel arrangements.

The decision comes as the country seeks to revive its vital tourism industry after losing around $50 billion in revenue last year - an 82 per cent drop.